Marching Forward: The Year of the Boot

Boots are beloved, indispensable wardrobe workhorses but it just so happens that they could not be more relevant for these feminist times. Let’s face it; nothing makes a woman feel stronger, bolder, or more empowered, than a great pair of boots.

Forget about boots that are “made for walking”, how about boots made for marching? This was perfectly echoed on the boot heavy runway of Christian Dior, where Maria Grazia Chiuri celebrated the student protesters of the highly charged late 60’s. Her red soled, red blocked heeled black leather boots with graphic red and white side stripes were standouts (see opening shot).

Saint Laurent Fall 2018 Ready-to-wear

Indeed, one could argue that Fall 2018 is the season of the boot and many designers literally gave women a ‘platform’ to stand on as platform boots (in a number of iterations) stormed the runways (and their message is loud and clear: “you can’t mess with me!”).

Balenciaga Knife Boots 

There are boots that could do double duty as a weapon, if one needed to defend oneself. The Balenciaga Knife thigh boots, available right now for $1690, are so named because of their extremely pointy toes and spiky heels. Talk about ‘killer boots’.

Ann Demeulemeester Fall 2018 Ready-to-wear

There are fierce flat over-the-knee lace up combat boots that would please even the most staunchly militant feminists.

Givenchy Fall 2018 Ready-to-wear

Fierce short asymmetrically zippered leather boots with conical mid-heels.

R 13 Fall 2018 Ready-to-wear

There are boots in bold black and white checks that match the entire ensemble.

Sacai Fall 2018 Ready-to-wear

Purposely mismatched animal patterned boots.

Rochas Fall 2018 Ready-to-wear

There are “go with everything”, uber cool snakeskin boots.

Marine Serre Fall 2018 Ready-to-wear

Also, fab boots in “go with everything” red.

Isabel Marant Fall 2018 Ready-to-wear 

Thigh high Western style boots punctuated with a sleek metal cap toe.

Tod’s Fall 2018 Ready-to-wear

Day boots in suede, both slouchy and fitted.

Alexandre Vauthier Fall 2018 Ready-to-wear

Decorative boots for evening (whether printed, embellished, bejeweled, feathered).

Phillip Plein Fall 2018 Ready-to-wear 

There are furry takes on the traditional Moon Boot.

 Prada Fall 2018 Ready-to-wear

Rubber boots that take their cue from the humble Wellie.

Chanel

Boots that are gilded.

Calvin Klein Fall 2018 Ready-to-wear

Boots that are silvery.

Needless to say there are endless choices and there is literally something for everyone, and everything!

– Marilyn Kirschner

Marilyn Kirschner

I am a long time fashion editor with 40+ years of experience. As senior market of Harper's Bazaar for 21 years I met and worked with every major fashion designer in the world and covered all of the collections in Paris, London, Milan and New York. I was responsible for overall content, finding and pulling in the best clothes out there, and for formulating ideas and stories.

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